Ka`u News Briefs Saturday, Oct. 4, 2014

Ka`u resident Joe Iacuzzo, here with a Tyrannosaurus rex fossil, presents a talk about America's fossil history at Pahala Public & School Library on Oct. 15. Photo from Joe Iacuzzo

“ALL PARTIES REMAIN COMMITTED to exploring a workable solution to this problem,” Sen. Brian Schatz said regarding rebuilding Chain of Craters Road so Puna residents can get to Ka`u and other parts of the island if Hwy 130 gets covered by lava. West Hawai`i Today reported that Schatz plans to visit Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park Friday and meet with park and county officials. While park Superintendent Cindy Orlando maintains that a one-lane road meets the requirements for an emergency evacuation route, county officials want the road to have two lanes.

As lava creeps toward Hwy 130, Hawai`i's elected officials in Washington
are working to have Chain of Craters Road be rebuilt with two lanes.
Map from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

      According to the story, Schatz said he is working closely with Mayor Billy Kenoi, the National Park Service, U.S. Department of Interior and U.S. Rep. Tulsi Gabbard on the issue.
      Sen. Mazie Hirono’s office said she is speaking with the federal Highway Administration and National Park Service about the issue.
      Park officials refer to road as an emergency evacuation route, but Hawai`i County Department of Emergency Management Director Darryl Oliveira said that “evacuation implies it’s a one-way direction and we are telling people to leave. I think what the community members shared is people would like to stay if it poses no imminent harm and safety concerns. And, for too many of them, they don’t have a choice; they just can’t pick up and leave.”
      As of this morning, lava from a breakout above the flow front had reached the front and was was 1.9 miles from Pahoa Village Road.

      See westhawaiitoday.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Brenda Ford

HAWAI`I COUNTY COUNCIL’S FINANCE COMMITTEE has voted in favor of proposed changes to property tax exemptions. Bill 292 would require a person applying for an exemption from the real property tax rate on a principal home to file a Hawai`i State Income Tax Return as a full-year resident for each fiscal year that the exemption is sought. 

      Bill 294 would increase from $40,000 to $60,000 the property value subject to total exemption from real property taxes and would increase by the same amounts the exemption that can be applied to properties valued in excess of $60,000.
      Ka`u’s council member Brenda Ford had questions about Bill 294 prior to the Finance Committee meeting, as reported in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald. “While the intent is probably OK, this is going to lower the revenue coming into the county,” Ford said. “If it was net neutral, it might be different. It’s not.” Ford first voted kanalua on the measure, then changed her vote to yes.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I’S GUBERNATORIAL CANDIDATES offered views on genetically modified organisms and pesticides during a debate on KITV Tuesday evening. Civil Beat reporter Chad Blair asked: “If elected governor, would you support restrictions on GMOs? Where do you stand on pesticide use? And how do you feel about labeling?”

Duke Aiona

      Republican Duke Aiona said, “It is a very emotional and divisive issue right now in regards to the counties. I believe that labeling — people knowing what’s in the food, what’s in the ground — is very important. In regards to pesticides, I believe if it is an issue in regards to monitoring and regulation, then obviously our Department of Health has to do a better job than what it’s doing right now. But I’m not sure that it’s really is the exact, the real problem, in regards to this whole genre of issues that are before the counties right now. I think it’s really a matter of not being as well educated as everyone should be. I think with the latest commercials that we see right now and the Maui initiative is educating people both ways. I’ve heard it both ways. And so, it’s something that obviously everyone has to be a part of in the discussion, and when the ultimate decision is finally made, it’s whether or not it’s going to help us — it’s going to be beneficial to us in regards to our health and well-being — and of course, the economic toll that it’s going to take on the farmers, on the vendors and everyone else.”

Mufi Hannemann

      Independent Mufi Hannemann said, “I’ve long maintained that the Department of Agriculture is the Rodney Dangerfield of state departments. Cuts to that department that were condoned by Sen. Ige and the Lingle-Aiona administration would not happen under a Hannemann administration. So let’s look at the three questions that were asked. Based on the science, I’m OK with GMO continuing to be part of what we have here in Hawai`i because I really believe we would see a dramatic drop in agricultural crops. However, pesticide drift is something that we need to do a better job of, and we need to empower the Department of Agriculture, working with the counties, to ensure that the pesticides that we use and the drift is curtailed to a great degree. Thirdly, I also believe that when it comes to labeling, it should be a national policy. I’m OK with labeling, but I think it should be done across the board, and it should be a mandate from Washington, D.C., as opposed to local or state municipalities doing that.”

David Ige

      Democrat David Ige said, “Yes, I do believe that as governor I would assure that we protect the health and safety of our communities. That would be Job One. We need to regulate pesticide use. We need to know what is being applied, where it’s being applied and ensure that it’s being applied safely. That is a core function of state government, and I would ensure that that happens. In terms of labeling, I do believe that labeling is a federal issue. I strongly encourage the federal government and the FDA to set standards so our people know what’s in the food they’re buying. And then thirdly, in terms of the GMOs, I really do believe and support all farmers. We have so much agriculture land that is not in production. We need to support them, whatever their method, whatever they’re planting.”

      See civilbeat.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

THE FINAL KA`U PLANTATION DAYS planning meeting is Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Pāhala Community Center. Residents continue planning for the event a week from today on Saturday, Oct 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
      For more information, call Darlyne Vierra at 640-8740.

PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN NA`ALEHU AND PAHALA offer free programs for the public three weeks in a row this month. 

      Ka`u Learning Academy co-founder Joe Iacuzzo, the official Hawai`i representative for the National Park Service’s National Fossil Day, will present a talk titled Thomas Jefferson to Johnson Space Center: America’s Fossil History at Pahala Public & School Library on Wednesday, Oct. 15 at 3:30 p.m.

      In 2008, Iacuzzo was the project manager for a team of scientists who worked at NASA to study the most complete dinosaur fossil ever discovered. The incredible advances in science that allowed for the NASA research were set in motion by a host of early American scientists, including Jefferson, who was an avid fossil collector who was trying to understand the prehistoric past of the new United States. “The evolution of how we understand prehistoric life and the technologies available to researchers would make Jefferson's head spin!” Iacuzzo said.

Anna Peach presents the Pumpkin Primer
in Pahala on Tuesday, Oct. 22.
Photo from squashandawe.com

      Iacuzzo worked for six years on Jurassic Park at Universal Pictures and co-produced an award-winning dinosaur documentary film for Discovery Channel. He has been involved with numerous dinosaur discoveries and is the most widely read dinosaur science writer in the world. This event is sponsored by the National Park Services.
      The Pumpkin Primer shows how to use heirloom squash to outsmart melon fly and pickle worm in Hawai`i. Kamuela farmer Anna Peach of Squash and Awe farm presents a talk about her sustainable farming methods. A seventh-generation farmer, Peach decided to look to history for a solution to Hawai`i’s commercial crop failure. She shares information about no-till farming, interplanting with native plants, seed saving and making natural fertilizers from restaurant scrap.
      See her farm at squashandawe.com.
      Programs are in Na`alehu Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 2:30 p.m. and in Pahala Wednesday, Oct. 22 at 10:30 a.m.
      There will be another special program for the Hawai`i State Public Library System’s statewide fall Children & Teens Program at the end of October. Pahala Library will host internationally renowned storyteller Diane Ferlatte, a native from New Orleans, on Wednesday, Oct. 29 at 3 p.m. The program title is Haunted Bayou-Ghostly Tales: Spirits Have Souls, Too.”

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

Ka`u News Briefs Friday, Oct. 3, 2014

Ka`u High Trojans eight-man football team is on the road the next two Saturdays for the final games of the regular season.
Photo by Taylor's Treasures Photography

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH HAS EXTENDED the deadline for comments regarding proposed new rules calling for septic tanks to be installed when residences with cesspools are sold. Comments are due by Friday, Oct. 17 at 4:30 p.m.
      Public meetings are also scheduled. One will be in Kona on Thursday, Oct. 9 at 5 p.m. at West Hawai`i Civic Center. Another will be in Hilo on Thursday, Oct. 16 at 5 p.m. at Aupuni Center.

      According to DOH, “cesspools are substandard systems. They don’t treat wastewater, they merely dispose of it. Cesspools concentrate the wastewater in one location, often deep within the ground and in direct contact with groundwater, causing groundwater contamination. This groundwater flows into drinking water wells, streams and the ocean, harming public health and the environment, including beaches and coral reefs.”

At a forum yesterday, State House District Five candidates
discussed a proposal to replace cesspools with septic tanks.
Diagram from state Department of Health

      To send comments by email and read the proposal, see health.hawaii.gov/wastewater/home/public_notice. Written comments can also be mailed to Wastewater Branch, Environmental Management Division, State Department of Health, 919 Ala Moana Blvd, Room 309, Honolulu, HI 96814-4920.

CANDIDATES FOR STATE HOUSE DISTRICT FIVE discussed the proposed wastewater rule change at a forum yesterday in Kona. According to a story in West Hawai`i Today, they agreed it would be a huge burden for residents to have to convert existing cesspools to septic systems.
      “I’d hate to see this burden put on the people,” Libertarian Jon Lalanne, of Ocean View, said. “I’d hate to pay for it myself.”
      Reporter Bret Yager said Lalanne shared his experiences in Malibu, Calif., when during winter months the sewage treatment plant would break down and pollute the ocean where he surfed. “I’m still here,” he said.
      Republican Dave Bateman, of Holualoa, said the proposal is “a ridiculous move on the part of the DOH.
      “I went through the petition and supporting materials and found none. We have very good basalts here and rifts in the earth that will purify (waste). I don’t know of anyone being treated in the ER for coliform. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it.”
      Rep. Richard Creagan, of Na`alehu, said the cesspool issue needs to be studied at the state Legislature. “We need to really examine the science,” Creagan said. “I don’t think the geology of the island mandates septic in the upper elevations. Along the shoreline, of course.”
      Creagan said that if the rules are adopted, he would support tax credits for composting toilets.
      See westhawaiitoday.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

A CONSORTIUM OF NATIVE HAWAIIAN community groups leading the process of building a Native Hawaiian government is considering postponing the election of officers until June. The original plan was to hold elections between May and September, and the most recent plan was to have the elections in January.
      According to an Associated Press story in Hawai`i Tribune-Herald, the groups want more time to educate voters.
      “They thought it was too soon and too impractical,” said Derek Kauanoe, governance manager at the Office of Hawaiian Affairs. “I think they’re more interested in the quality of the nation building process” than the speed.
      They are drafting a new timeline they hope to present to the OHA board on Thursday, Oct. 16.
      See hawaiitribune-herald.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Poultry and livestock consume 70 to 90 percent of all genetically
engineered crops, according to a UC-Davis study.
Thinkstock photo from UC-Davis

THE PERFORMANCE AND HEALTH OF FOOD-PRODUCING animals consuming genetically engineered feed, first introduced 18 years ago, has been comparable to that of animals consuming non-GE feed, according to a new scientific review from the University of California at Davis. The review study also found that scientific studies have detected no differences in the nutritional makeup of meat, milk or other food products derived from animals that ate genetically engineered feed. 

      The review, led by UC-Davis animal scientist Alison Van Eenennaam, examined nearly 30 years of livestock-feeding studies that represent more than 100 billion animals.
      Entitled Prevalence and Impacts of Genetically Engineered Feedstuffs on Livestock Populations, the review article is now available online in open-access form through the American Society of Animal Science: https://asas.org/docs/default-source/jas-files/jas8124_final.pdf?sfvrsn.
      Genetically engineered crops were first introduced in 1996. Today, 19 genetically engineered plant species are approved for use in the United States, including the major crops used extensively in animal feed: alfalfa, canola, corn, cotton, soybeans and sugar beets.
      Food-producing animals such as cows, pigs, goats, chickens and other poultry species now consume 70 to 90 percent of all genetically engineered crops, according to the UC Davis review. In the United States alone, nine billion food-producing animals are produced annually, with 95 percent of them consuming feed that contains genetically engineered ingredients.
      “Studies have continually shown that the milk, meat and eggs derived from animals that have consumed GE feed are indistinguishable from the products derived from animals fed a non-GE diet,” Van Eenennaam said. “Therefore, proposed labeling of animal products from livestock and poultry that have eaten GE feed would require supply-chain segregation and traceability, as the products themselves would not differ in any way that could be detected.”
      See news.ucdavis.edu.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HO`OKUPU HULA NO KA`U CULTURAL FESTIVAL has finalized its lineup of events and workshops to take place in Pahala on the grounds of the Old Plantation Manager’s House three weeks from today, on Friday and Saturday, Oct. 24 and 25. All entertainment is open to the public with no fees. Friday and Saturday night will feature emcee Skylark and chanter Na`auao Vivas.
      The Ho`okupu Hula Cultural Festival is in its fifth year. The first four were held on Lana`i. Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder, who founded the festival, said that her own Kumu Hula, Uncle George Na`ope, encouraged the creation of festivals, including the Merrie Monarch and other festivals in Hawai`i, Canada, Washington, Japan, Germany and California. “Every place he placed his footprint and visited throughout his life, he planted a seed. It grew wherever he traveled,” said Ryder. “He also planted a seed in me to carry on his legacy to perpetuate the hula and its history, which is what I am trying to do.” Ryder and her husband Kawehi recently moved from Lana`i to Pahala and brought the festival with them. “It is painful to realize that Uncle George will no longer be with me in support of this legacy of the hula; therefore my heart reaches out in Thanksgiving and Aloha as I attempt to carry the torch that he lit in me so long ago.”
      The first Ho`okupu Hula No Ka`u Cultural Festival will begin on Friday, Oct. 24 with `Ohana Night and an Opening Pule at 4 p.m., followed by Ho`okupu by Kumu Hula Haumana and others wishing to participate. At 4:30 p.m., Ernest Kalani takes the stage, followed by Keoki Kahumoku at 5 p.m. A Kukui Ceremony honoring ancestors will be held at 5:45 p.m., followed by music from the South Side Serenaders at 6 p.m. Cyril Pahinui performs at 6:30 p.m., with music by Makanau at 7 p.m. At 8:15 p.m. will be music by Steven Sioloa, Wailau Ryder and Ricky Masaoka.
      On the grounds will be cultural practitioners, cultural demonstrations, artisans, crafts, food booths, informational booths and more.
      On Saturday, Oct. 25 at the Old Pahala Clubhouse will be workshops, beginning with hula with Kumu Hula Debbie Leionalani Ryder at 8 a.m. At 9:30 a.m. will be lei-making. At 11 a.m. lauhaula weaving, at 12:30 p.m. an `ukulele workshop and at 1:30 p.m. a slack key workshop.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.

      On Saturday evening at 4 p.m. will be an opening pule performed by dancers who attend the hula workshop and an introduction of Kumu Hula. At 4:30 p.m. will be Hands of Time. At 5 p.m. will be Halau Hula O Kawaimaluhia with Kumu Hula Keoni Jennings. At 5:45 p.m. will be Hula Halau Kahoku Kauhiahionalani with Kumu Hula Sammy Fo. At 6 p.m. will be the Gomes `Ohana. At 6:30 p.m. a Kukui Ceremony; at 6:45 p.m. Keaiwa, featuring Demetrius Oliveira and Halau Hula O Leonalani, with Kumu Hula Debbie Ryder and Haumana from Japan, Okinawa, O`ahu and Pahala. At 7:30 p.m. will be Ka `Imia Na`auao Kahiko from Ka`u School of the Arts and Kumu Hula Marsha Bolosan. At 8 p.m. is Victor Chock & Friends, with the evening ending at 9 p.m. with Hawai`i Aloha.
      For more, see www.hookupukau.com.

JUDGING IS TAKING PLACE TODAY at Ka`u Chamber Of Commerce’s Art Show at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu. Winners in all categories, including People’s Choice, which will be on the cover of The Directory 2015, will be announced at a reception tomorrow morning.

KA`U HIGH SPORTS TEAMS HAVE A BUSY DAY tomorrow. Girls volleyball teams host Makua Lani at 10 a.m. The Trojan eight-man football team travels to Pahoa for a game at 2 p.m., and the cross country team has a 3 p.m. meet in Kea`au.

VOLUNTEERS MEET AT KILAUEA VISITOR CENTER to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Free; park entrance fees apply.

LISA LOUISE ADAMS TEACHES HOW TO MAKE books styled after fourth-century copts tomorrow from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Call 967-8222 to register.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

Ka`u News Briefs Thursday, Oct. 2, 2014

Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park celebrates Hawaiian Archaeology Week with ranger-guided hikes to Pu`u Loa petroglyphs. NPS photo by Jay Robinson

TRUTH-IN-LABELING OF COFFEE BLENDS has gotten unanimous approval by Hawai`i County Council’s Agriculture, Water & Energy Sustainability Committee. Ka`u’s council member Brenda Ford introduced the resolution asking the state Legislature to pass a law requiring that labels on packages of Hawai`i coffee blended with foreign coffee include prominent identification stating the country or region of origin of the non-Hawai`i portion, along with percentages.

Ka`u's county council member Brenda Ford
more detailed labels on coffee blend packages.

      The resolution also calls for requiring a minimum of 51 percent Hawai`i-grown coffee in any coffee package labeled as a blend. 

       According to a story in West Hawai`i Today, Ford said tourists wouldn’t be likely to pay a premium for coffee blends that are 10 percent Hawaiian coffee and 90 percent from somewhere else. At that point, they would be more likely to turn to purchase a blend with at least 51 percent Hawai`i-grown coffee, she said.

      “Other states, other countries protect their farmers by saying if you’re going to blend, then you’ve got to disclose,” Ford said. “But not in Hawai`i. Every other agricultural crop in Hawai`i is protected in that manner, except for Hawai`i-grown coffee.” 

      See westhawaiitoday.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

GOV. NEIL ABERCROMBIE HAS ISSUED an executive order that turns over 3.68 miles of the state-owned portion of Chain of Craters Road near Kalapana to Hawai`i County.
      The executive order states that the land is “hereby turned over to the County of Hawai`i, in fee simple, for use as a county highway, and the County of Hawai`i shall hereafter be responsible for its repair and maintenance as a county highway.”
      On Sept. 15, Gov. Abercrombie signed a supplemental emergency proclamation to include the repair, restorations, rebuilding, or reestablishment of Chain of Craters Road, for use as an alternate emergency route should the June 27th lava flow cross Hwy 130 near Pahoa and isolate communities in lower Puna from the rest of Hawai`i County. That proclamation, a supplement to the original emergency proclamation signed on Sept. 5, also extended the disaster emergency relief period through Dec. 1, 2014.
      The original proclamation suspended certain laws as needed for emergency purposes, including state restrictions on reestablishing abandoned roads that may be used should lava cross Hwy 130. It also activated the Major Disaster Fund set aside by the state Legislature for disaster relief and facilitates access to emergency resources at the state and federal levels.
      Big Island Video News reported Mayor Billy Kenoi saying the county is “very appreciative” of the state’s action, which will help avoid delays in creating emergency access from Puna into Ka`u. The county plans to ask for federal funds to reimburse the estimated $12 and $14 million construction cost.
      It could take anywhere from 45 to 60 days to finish Chain Of Craters at the current pace of the project. However, Kenoi said, if necessary, they could speed up the work.
      See bigislandvideonews.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

U.S. REP. TULSI GABBARD WANTS THE 5.4-MILE section of Chain of Craters Road in Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park rebuilt as two lanes, rather than as one, which the National Park Service is calling for. A Honolulu Star-Advertiser story reported Gabbard saying, “I am working with Mayor Billy Kenoi, as well as Sen. Brian Schatz, to open up access for the 8,200 plus residents of lower Puna, especially after seeing what the residents of Puna have gone through with the hurricanes and tropical storms we recently had and this new situation with the lava flowing.”
      Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando told reporter Dan Nakaso, “We have emergency approval for this activity for one lane unpaved, and we have our own national policy act regulations that we have to follow, and that’s what our parameters are. The National Park’s position is that one lane meets the emergency needs.”

While currently moving slowly, lava continues to threaten to cover Hwy 130 in Puna.
Photo from USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

      According to Nakaso, Gabbard said she has not seen evidence from federal officials that two lanes of Chain of Craters Road will cause more potential damage than one lane. “I haven’t seen something that they’ve presented in terms of a documented study to back up that claim,” Gabbard said. “I do understand that’s their position.
      “We always have to be as sensitive as we can to our sacred sites and endangered species. But we have got to recognize the starkness and immediate need that this entire community of over 8,200 residents will face if there is no access whatsoever.”
      See staradvertiser.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

SLOW-MOVING SURFACE BREAKOUTS HAVE REACHED the stalled lava flow front in Puna and extended the leading edge of the flow about 30 yards, USGS scientists at Hawaiian Volcano Observatory reported. The flow front today was 1.4 miles upslope from Apa`a Street and 2.1 miles from Pahoa Village Road.
      See hvo.wr.usgs.gov.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

Ka`u's state Sen. Russell Ruderman, at left, plays guitar with the band El Leo.
Photo from Big Island Video News

KA`U’S STATE SEN. RUSSELL RUDERMAN hosted a Pele Party at his Island Naturals grocery store in Pahoa. Ruderman played guitar with the band El Leo, which performed last year at Ka`u Plantation Days. Big Island Video News reported Ruderman saying the store will remain open as long as it’s safe and that delivery companies will continue to supply the store via emergency access roads in the event lava covers Hwy 130.
      See bigislandvideonews.com.

      To comment on or like this story, go to facebook.com/kaucalendar.

HAWAI`I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK commemorates Hawaiian Archaeology Week Oct. 3 – 12. On ranger-guided hikes to Pu`u Loa Petroglyphs, participants visit the largest ki`i pohaku (petroglyph) field in Hawai`i and ponder the meaning behind the tens of thousands of carvings that Hawaiians etched into lava there. The hike is 0.7 miles one way and takes about 1.5 hours roundtrip.
      Meet the park ranger at 2 p.m. at the Pu`u Loa Petroglyph parking area on Chain of Craters Road, a 45-minute drive from the park entrance, on Oct. 5, 7, 8, 10, 12, 16, 17 and 18.
      The hikes are free; park entrance fees apply.

KA`U HIGH GIRLS VARSITY VOLLEYBALL TEAM had another win in three straight sets at Kea`au Tuesday. Scores were 25-13, 25-18 and 25-14. Junior varsity also won with scores of 19-25, 25-22 and 15-13.
      The teams host Makua Lani Saturday at 10 a.m.
      Also on Saturday, the Trojan eight-man football team travels to Pahoa for a game at 2 p.m., and the cross country team has a 3 p.m. meet in Kea`au.

TODAY IS THE LAST DAY TO VOTE for People’s Choice at Ka`u Chamber Of Commerce’s Art Show at CU Hawai`i Federal Credit Union in Na`alehu. People’s Choice will be on the cover of The Directory 2015. Hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Winners in all categories will be announced at a reception Saturday morning. 

STEWARDSHIP AT THE SUMMIT CONTINUES Saturday from 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. at Hawai`i Volcanoes National Park. Volunteers meet at Kilauea Visitor Center to help remove invasive Himalayan ginger from park trails. Free; park entrance fees apply.

HANDMADE BOOKS WITH COPTIC BINDING is the topic Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Volcano Art Center’s Niaulani Campus in Volcano Village. Lisa Louise Adams teaches how to make books styled after fourth-century copts. Call 967-8222 to register.

SWEET MEMORIES IS THE THEME of Ka`u Plantation Days coming up a week from Saturday on Oct. 11 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. “We gather together to celebrate times of the past, to honor what we had and what we have,” says a statement from Ka`u Multicultural Society. A pa`u parade begins the festivities with horses and riders, can trucks, classic vehicles, students, musical, cultural and agricultural groups. Following the parade, enjoy the history and ethnic displays, music and Ka`u Coffee, as well as ethnic food and dances, including Japanese, Filipino and Hawaiian offerings. Historic displas from plantation days will be presented by families and heritage groups. Emcee is Clyde Silva.

SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS AT PAHALAPLANTATIONCOTTAGES.COM AND KAUCOFFEEMILL.COM. KA`U COFFEE MILL IS OPEN SEVEN DAYS A WEEK.

See kaucalendar.com/Directory2014.swf.